Apparatus and method for distributing a tarp over a cargo on a truck load bed

ABSTRACT

A tarp distributing apparatus includes a tarp guide device held in an immobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above a rear location on a truck load bed so as to establish the height to which a tarp can be moved to above and over the rear of a cargo on the truck load bed, a tarp draught device mounted in a mobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above the truck load bed forwardly of the tarp guide device so as to undergo movement relative thereto and along the truck load bed for engaging and pulling the tarp relative to the tarp guide device forwardly over the cargo, and an actuation mechanism configured to manipulate and move the tarp draught device relative to the tarp guide device and the cargo so as to accomplish distributing the tarp over at least a portion of the cargo.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a continuation ofco-pending parent U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No.14/748,096, filed Jun. 23, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to covering cargo on trucks, and moreparticularly, is directed to an apparatus and method for distributing atarp over a cargo on a truck load bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many trucks have load beds for carrying a load of cargo thereon. Thebeds are open and accessible during loading and unloading of the cargo.However, during storage and/or transport of the cargo, the load iscovered either to protect it from the elements or keep loose portionsthereof from escaping from the load. A cover or tarp is, therefore,typically used to cover the cargo when in storage or during transport onthe truck.

Tarps are frequently heavy and loads resting on the truck load bedsoftentimes have irregular configurations making it extremely difficultfor truck drivers or others to manually pull heavy tarps over the loadswhile climbing over them. Because of such difficulty, many accidentsoccur each year as truck driver's fall of their trucks while trying totarp their load. Understandably insurance companies issuing policiesthat cover truckers hauling such loads of cargo build in high premiumsin order to discourage such hazardous activity by truckers to manuallycover loads in this manner. The same can be said for companiesattempting to circumvent liability by forbidding truck drivers to tarptheir cargo on company property. Thus, requiring them to drive off andtarp their load somewhere else.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an innovation that willprovide a way to prevent the aforementioned hazardous activity bytruckers from arising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an innovation that overcomes theaforementioned problems that remain unsolved by providing an apparatusand method for distributing a tarp over a cargo on a truck load bed soas to eliminate the need for the trucker to undertake manual activitydirected to covering up the cargo.

In one aspect of the present invention, a tarp distributing apparatusincludes:

-   -   a tarp guide device mounted in an immobile condition adjacent to        and extending upright to above a rear location on a truck load        bed so as to establish the height to which a tarp can be moved        relative to the rear location on the truck load bed to above and        over the rear of a cargo on the truck load bed;    -   a tarp draught device mounted in a mobile condition adjacent to        and extending upright to above the truck load bed forwardly of        the tarp guide device and between the rear location on the truck        load bed and a front location on the truck load bed opposite        from the rear location so as to undergo movement relative to the        tarp guide device and along the truck load bed for engaging and        pulling the tarp relative to the tarp guide device and forwardly        over the cargo; and    -   an actuation mechanism mounted adjacent to the front location on        the truck load bed and coupled with the tarp draught device, the        actuation mechanism being operable to move the tarp draught        device from adjacent the tarp guide device at the rear location        on the truck load bed to adjacent the front location on the        truck load bed relative to the tarp guide device and the cargo        so as to accomplish distributing the tarp at least partially        over the cargo.

In another aspect of the present invention, the tarp guide deviceincludes an upper cross assembly establishing the height to which thetarp can be moved, relative to the rear location on the truck load bed,to above and over the rear of the cargo. The upper cross assemblyincludes an elongated inner bar and an outer roller extending over androtatable about the inner bar so as to rotate as the outer roller guidesthe tarp to above and over the rear of the cargo.

In another aspect of the present invention, the tarp guide device alsoincludes a pair of upright support assemblies each having a lowertubular structure and an upper tubular member supported by the lowertubular structure, the elongated inner bar of the upper cross assemblyextending between and fixedly connected at opposite ends to upper endportions of the upper tubular members of the upright support assemblies.The upper end portions of the upper tubular members also extend abovethe upper cross assembly so as to assist in keeping the tarp fromfalling off the upper cross assembly as the tarp is guided above andover the rear of the cargo. Each of the upright support assemblies alsohas a carriage mounted to one of a pair of channels defined along eachof a pair of opposite side edges of the truck load bed, each of thecarriages supporting the lower tubular structure of a respective one ofthe upright support assemblies.

In another aspect of the present invention, the tarp draught deviceincludes an upper cross bar having a plurality of elements attachedthereon being spaced apart from one another and configured to engagewith a leading end of the tarp for pulling the tarp relative to the tarpguide device and forwardly over the cargo. The tarp draught device alsoincludes a pair of elongated posts, the upper cross bar extendingbetween and interconnecting at opposite ends with corresponding upperends of the elongated posts.

In another aspect of the present invention, the tarp draught devicefurther includes a pair of carriages each being mounted to one of thepair of channels defined along the opposite side edges of the truck loadbed, each of the elongated posts being pivotally mounted at a lower endto one of the carriages. Each of the carriages includes an elongatedmain member and a pair of wheels each mounted on a corresponding one ofa pair of axles attached to one of a pair of opposite ends of theelongated main member and extending laterally therefrom. Each of thewheels are disposed in one of the channels along the opposite side edgesof the truck load bed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a pair of actuators areprovided each being mounted to one of the elongated main members of thecarriages of the tarp draught device and drivingly coupled to the lowerend of one of the elongated posts of the tarp draught device for causingthe elongated posts of the draught device to undergo movement betweenupright positions and angularly displaced positions toward and away fromthe tarp guide device and the upright positions.

In another aspect of the present invention, a tarp distributingapparatus includes:

-   -   a tarp guide device mounted in an immobile condition adjacent to        and extending upright to above a rear location on a truck load        bed so as to establish the height to which a tarp can be moved        relative to the rear location on the truck load bed to above and        over the rear of a cargo on the truck load bed, the tarp guide        device comprising an upper cross assembly establishing the        height to which the tarp can be moved, the upper cross assembly        including an elongated inner bar and an outer roller extending        over and rotatable about the inner bar so as to rotate as the        outer roller guides the tarp to above and over the rear of the        cargo;    -   a tarp draught device mounted in a mobile condition adjacent to        and extending upright to above the truck load bed forwardly of        the tarp guide device and between the rear location on the truck        load bed and a front location on the truck load bed opposite        from the rear location so as to undergo movement relative to the        tarp guide device and along the truck load bed, the tarp draught        device comprising an upper cross bar having a plurality of        elements attached thereon being spaced apart from one another        and configured to engage with a leading end of the tarp for        pulling the tarp, as the upper cross bar undergoes movement        relative to the tarp guide device, forwardly over the cargo; and    -   an actuation mechanism mounted adjacent to the front location on        the truck load bed and coupled with the tarp draught device, the        actuation mechanism being operable to move the tarp draught        device from adjacent the tarp guide device at the rear location        on the truck load bed to adjacent the front location on the        truck load bed relative to the tarp guide device and the cargo        so as to accomplish distributing the tarp at least partially        over the cargo.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 presents a rear isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of atarp distributing apparatus operatively mounted on a truck (or trailer)load bed;

FIG. 2 presents a front isometric assembled view of a tarp guide deviceof the tarp distributing apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1, thetarp guide device being mounted immobile and upright relative to a rearlocation on the truck load bed to establish the height to which a tarpcan be moved to above and over the rear of a cargo on the truck loadbed;

FIG. 3 presents a front isometric exploded view of the tarp guide deviceof the tarp distributing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 presents a front assembled elevation view of the tarp guidedevice of the tarp distributing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 presents a front isometric assembled view of a tarp draughtdevice of the tarp distributing apparatus originally introduced in FIG.1, the tarp draught device being mounted mobile and upright relative tothe truck load bed and being actuatable so as to pull the tarp over thecargo;

FIG. 6 presents a front isometric exploded view of the tarp draughtdevice of the tarp distributing apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 presents an enlarged isometric detailed view of a lower portionof the tarp draught device that is enclosed in the dashed circle 7 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 presents a front assembled elevation view of the tarp draughtdevice of the tarp distributing apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 presents a side elevation view of the tarp draught device of thetarp distributing apparatus of FIG. 5, showing the range of pivotalmovement that a pair of elongated posts, together with an upper crossbar extending between and interconnecting upper ends of the elongatedposts ,of the tarp draught device can undergo relative to lowercarriages of the tarp draught device;

FIG. 10 presents a front elevation view of the tarp distributingapparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 11-14 present multiple side elevation views of the tarpdistributing apparatus in a sequence of positions during the carryingout of distributing a tarp at least partially over a load of cargo onthe truck bed.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”,“lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, there is illustrated an exemplaryembodiment of an apparatus, generally designated 100, for distributing atarp 102, as seen in FIGS. 11-14, at least partially over a load ofcargo 104, being shown in dashed outline form, on a mobile truck loadbed 106. The tarp distributing apparatus 100 basically includes a tarpguide device 108, a tarp draught device 110, and an actuation mechanism112. The tarp guide device 108 is disposed immobile relative to thetruck load bed 106. The tarp draught device 110 is disposed mobilerelative to the truck load bed 106 and actuatable to pull the tarp 102over the tarp guide device 108 and the cargo 104. The actuationmechanism 112 is configured to manipulate and move the tarp draughtdevice 110 relative to the tarp guide device 108 and the cargo 104 so asto accomplish distributing the tarp 102 at least partially over thecargo 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 11-14, the tarp guide device 108 is mountedin the immobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above arear location on the truck load bed 106 so as to establish the height towhich the tarp 102 can be moved relative to the rear location on thetruck load bed 106 to above and over the rear of the cargo 104 on thetruck load bed 106. As additionally seen in FIGS. 2-4 and 10, the tarpguide device 108 includes a pair of upright support assemblies 114 andan upper cross assembly 116 extending between and interconnecting upperends of the upright support assemblies 114. The upper cross assembly 116establishes the height to which the tarp 102 can be moved relative tothe rear location on the truck load bed 106 to above and over the rearof the cargo 104.

More particularly, the upper cross assembly 116 of the tarp guide device108 includes an inner bar 118 and an outer roller 120 extending over androtatable about the inner bar 118. The inner bar 118 extends between andis fixedly connected at opposite ends to the upper ends of the uprightsupport assemblies 114 of the tarp guide device 108. The outer roller120 may rotate about the inner bar 118 as the outer roller 120 guidesthe tarp 102 to above and over the rear of the cargo 104.

Each of the upright support assemblies 114 of the tarp guide device 108includes an upper tubular member 122 and a lower tubular structure 124.The upper tubular members 122 of the upright support assemblies 114 haverespective upper end portions 122A being fixedly connected to andextending above the respective opposite ends of the inner bar 118 of theupper cross assembly 116. The upper end portions 122A of the uppertubular members 122 of the upright support assemblies 114 of the tarpguide device 108 that extend above the upper cross assembly 116 of thetarp guide device 108 thus prevent the tarp 102, as it is being pulledand moved by the tarp draught device 110 over the upper cross assembly116, from falling off the tarp guide device 108 and the cargo 104. Thelower tubular structures 124 of the upright support assemblies 114support the respective upper tubular members 122 by means of lowertubular members 126, which are aligned and telescopably interfitted withthe respective upper tubular members 122, and by means of braces 128extending angularly between and connected with the respective lowertubular members 126 and the respective carriages 130 of the uprightsupport assemblies 114.

Still more particularly, each of the carriages 130 is mounted to one ofa pair of tracks or channels 132 defined along opposite side edges ofthe truck load bed 106. Each of the lower tubular structures 124 isfixedly mounted at a lower end to one of the carriages 130. Each of thecarriages 130 of the tarp guide device 108 includes an elongated mainmember 134 and a pair of wheels 136 each mounted on a corresponding oneof a pair of axles 138 attached to one of a pair of opposite ends of themain member 134 and extending laterally therefrom, Each of the wheels136 is disposed in the one channel 132 along the respective oppositeside edges of the truck load bed 106. The immobility of the mounting ofthe tarp guide device 108 relative to the truck load bed 106 may bebrought about by the installation of a pin 140 interconnecting the mainmember 134 of each of the carriages 130 with the respective side edgesof the truck load bed 106.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, the tarp draught device 110 isdisposed adjacent to and extends upright to above the truck load bed 106forwardly of the tarp guide device 108. As additionally seen in FIGS.5-10, the tarp draught device 110 includes a pair of carriages 142, apair of elongated posts 144 each pivotally mounted at a lower end to oneof the carriages 142, and an upper cross bar 146 extending between andinterconnecting upper ends of the elongated posts 144. The elongatedposts 144 and the upper cross bar 146 may each be constructed oftelescoping parts, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 8-10. The upper cross bar 146has a plurality of elements 148, such hooks, being attached thereon andspaced apart from one another. The elements 148 are configured to engagewith a leading end of the tarp 102 for pulling the tarp relative to thetarp guide device 108 and forwardly over the rear end of the cargo 104.The tarp draught device 110 is initially immobilized adjacent to thetarp guide device 108 at the start in order for its elongated posts 144and upper cross bar 146 to undergo movement relative to its carriages142 and the tarp guide device 108 for the elements 148 to engage thetarp 102 and pull it over to the tarp guide device 108, between theupper end portions 122A of upright support assemblies 114 thereof, andforwardly over the rear end of the cargo 104. Then, the tarp draughtdevice 110 is mobilized so that it can undergo movement along the truckload bed 106 away from the tarp guide device 108 to continue pulling thetarp 102 over the cargo 104 toward the front end thereof

More particularly, each of the carriages 142 includes an elongated mainmember 150 and a pair of wheels 152 each mounted on a corresponding oneof a pair of axles 154 attached to one of a pair of opposite ends of themain member 150 and extending laterally therefrom. Each of the wheels152 is disposed in the one channel 132 along each of the opposite sideedges of the truck load bed 106. The initial immobility of the mountingof the tarp draught device 110 relative to the truck load bed 106 may bebrought about by the installation of a pin 154 so as to interconnect themain member 150 of each of the carriages 142 with the respective sideedges of the truck load bed 106. By removing the pin 155 the tarpdraught device 110 becomes mobile relative to the truck load bed 106.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10-14, the actuation mechanism 112 isconfigured to manipulate and move the tarp draught device 110 relativeto the tarp guide device 108 and the cargo 104 so as to accomplishdistributing the tarp 102 at least partially over the cargo 104. Moreparticularly, by way of example but not limitation, the actuationmechanism 112 may be a winch 156 mounted by a bracket 158 adjacent to afront end of the truck load bed 106 and at least one cable 160 thatextends between and interconnects the winch 156 with the tarp draughtdevice 110. Alternatively, the actuation mechanism 112 may be a pair ofactuators 162, such as key lock rotary motors, each being mounted withinone of a pair of facing recesses 164 defined within respective housings166 attached upon the elongated main members 150 of the carriages 142 ofthe tarp draught device 110 midway between the opposite ends of the mainmembers 150. The actuators 162 pivotally and drivingly couple the lowerends of the respective elongated posts 144 of the tarp draught device110 to the main members 150 of the carriages 142. The actuators 162 maydrive the elongated posts 144 of the tarp draught device 110, or thewinch 156 and cable 160 may be used to make the tarp draught device 110,to undergo movement between the upright position and the angularlydisplaced positions toward and away from the tarp guide device 108 andthe upright position, as depicted in FIG. 9. The elongated posts 144 maybe spring-loaded to normally assume the upright positions. Initially,with the pin 155 installed in the tarp draught device 110, the elongatedposts 144 of the tarp draught device 110 may be manually pivoted fromthe upright position to forwardly angularly displaced position as seenin FIG. 12. A 12V DC battery (not shown) or the like that is in thetruck to provide the electrical power requirements for operation of thetruck may also be the source of electrical power to operate the winch156 or the actuators 162.

Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 1, 5-8 and 10, the posts 144 at theirlower ends have offsetting portions 144A extending away from one anotherso as to provide sufficient space between the posts 144 and below theupper cross bar 146 to allow the tarp draught device 110 to respectivelypass by outside of and over the upright support assemblies 114 and uppercross assembly 116 of the tarp guide device 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, there can be seen the basic steps of themethod of operation of the tarp distributing apparatus 100. FIG. 11shows positioning the upper cross assembly 116 of the tarp guide device108 adjacent to and above the rear location on the truck load bed 106 soas to establish the height to which the tarp 102 can be moved over theouter roller 120 of the upper cross assembly 116 to above and over therear of the cargo 104 on the truck load bed 106. Also, FIG. 11 showspositioning the upper cross bar 146 of the tarp draught device 110forwardly of the upper cross assembly 116 of the tarp guide device 108and above the cargo 102 on the truck load bed 106. FIG. 12 shows movingof the tarp draught device 100 relative to the upper cross assembly 116of the tarp guide device 108 to position the upper cross bar 146 of thetarp draught device 110 along and to the rear of the cargo 104 on thetruck load bed 106, followed by engaging the tarp 102 with the uppercross bar 146 of the tarp draught device 110. FIG. 13 shows moving thetarp draught device 110 and the upper cross bar 146 therewith forwardlyalong the truck load bed 106 and away from the upper cross assembly 116of the tarp guide device 108 in order to pull the tarp 102 forwardlyover the cargo 104 so as to accomplish distributing the tarp 102 atleast partially over the cargo 104. FIG. 14 shows two alternative finalpositions for the tarp draught devices 110 at the end of the method ofoperation.

It should be understood that while only one tarp 102 is shown in use inthe drawings, the operation of the apparatus 100 may be repeated todistribute more than one tarp 102 over the cargo 104. Also, after thetarp(s) 102 are distributed over the cargo 104, they are tied down tothe truck load bed 106 by the driver.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations ofimplementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles ofthe invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications orequivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tarp distributing apparatus, comprising: a tarpguide device mounted adjacent to and extending upright to above a rearlocation on a truck load bed so as to establish the height to which atarp can be moved relative to the rear location on the truck load bed toabove and over the rear of a cargo on the truck load bed; a tarp draughtdevice mounted in a mobile condition adjacent to and extending uprightto above the truck load bed forwardly of said tarp guide device andbetween the rear location on the truck load bed and a front location onthe truck load bed opposite from the rear location so as to undergomovement relative to said tarp guide device and along the truck load bedfor engaging and pulling the tarp relative to said tarp guide device andforwardly over the cargo; and an actuation mechanism mounted adjacent tothe front location on the truck load bed and coupled to the tarp draughtdevice, said actuation mechanism being operable to move said tarpdraught device from adjacent said tarp guide device at the rear locationon the truck load bed to adjacent the front location on the truck loadbed relative to said tarp guide device and the cargo so as to accomplishdistributing the tarp at least partially over the cargo.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said tarp guide device includes an uppercross assembly establishing the height to which the tarp can be moved,relative to the rear location on the truck load bed, to above and overthe rear of the cargo.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said uppercross assembly includes an elongated inner bar and an outer rollerextending over and rotatable about said inner bar so as to rotate assaid outer roller guides the tarp to above and over the rear of thecargo.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said tarp guide device alsoincludes a pair of upright support assemblies each having a lowertubular structure and an upper tubular member supported by said lowertubular structure, said elongated inner bar of said upper cross assemblyextending between and fixedly connected at opposite ends to upper endportions of said upper tubular members of said upright supportassemblies, said upper end portions of said upper tubular members alsoextending above said upper cross assembly so as to assist in keeping thetarp from falling off said upper cross assembly as the tarp is guidedabove and over the rear of the cargo.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein each of said upright support assemblies also has a carriagemounted to one of a pair of channels defined along each of a pair ofopposite side edges of the truck load bed, each of said carriagessupporting said lower tubular structure of a respective one of saidupright support assemblies.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each ofsaid carriages includes an elongated main member and a pair of wheelseach mounted on a corresponding one of a pair of axles attached to oneof a pair of opposite ends of said elongated main member and extendinglaterally therefrom.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lowertubular structure of each said upright support assembly includes: alower tubular member fixedly attached to and extending upwardly from oneof said carriages and being aligned and telescopably interfitted with acorresponding one of said upper tubular members; and a brace extendingangularly between and interconnecting said lower tubular member and saidcarriage.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tarp draught deviceincludes an upper cross bar having a plurality of elements attachedthereon being spaced apart from one another and configured to engagewith a leading end of the tarp for pulling the tarp relative to saidtarp guide device and forwardly over the cargo.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said tarp draught device also includes a pair ofelongated posts, said upper cross bar of said draught device extendingbetween and interconnecting at opposite ends with corresponding upperends of said elongated posts.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein saidtarp draught device further includes a pair of carriages each beingmounted to one of said pair of channels defined along the opposite sideedges of the truck load bed, each said elongated post of said draughtdevice being pivotally mounted at a lower end to one of said carriages.11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said carriages includes anelongated main member and a pair of wheels each mounted on acorresponding one of a pair of axles attached to one of a pair ofopposite ends of said elongated main member and extending laterallytherefrom, each of said wheels being disposed in one of the channelsalong the opposite side edges of the truck load bed.
 12. The apparatusof claim 10 further comprising a pair of actuator each mounted to saidelongated main member of one of said carriages of said tarp draughtdevice and drivingly coupled to said lower end of one of said elongatedposts of said tarp draught device for causing said elongated posts ofsaid tarp draught device to undergo movement between upright positionsand angularly displaced positions toward and away from said tarp guidedevice and said upright positions.
 13. A tarp distributing apparatus,comprising: a tarp guide device mounted in an immobile conditionadjacent to and extending upright to above a rear location on a truckload bed so as to establish the height to which a tarp can be movedrelative to the rear location on the truck load bed to above and overthe rear of a cargo on the truck load bed, said tarp guide devicecomprising an upper cross assembly establishing the height to which thetarp can be moved, said upper cross assembly including an elongatedinner bar and an outer roller extending over and rotatable about saidinner bar so as to rotate as said outer roller guides the tarp to aboveand over the rear of the cargo; a tarp draught device mounted in amobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above the truckload bed forwardly of said tarp guide device and between the rearlocation on the truck load bed and a front location on the truck loadbed opposite from the rear location so as to undergo movement relativeto said tarp guide device and along the truck load bed, said tarpdraught device comprising an upper cross bar having a plurality ofelements attached thereon being spaced apart from one another andconfigured to engage with a leading end of the tarp for pulling thetarp, as said upper cross bar undergoes movement relative to said tarpguide device, forwardly over the cargo; and an actuation mechanismmounted adjacent to the front location on the truck load bed and coupledto said tarp draught device, said actuation mechanism being operable tomove said tarp draught device from adjacent said tarp guide device atthe rear location on the truck load bed to adjacent the front locationon the truck load bed relative to said tarp guide device and the cargoso as to accomplish distributing the tarp at least partially over thecargo.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said tarp guide device alsoincludes a pair of upright support assemblies each having a lowertubular structure and an upper tubular member supported by said lowertubular structure, said elongated inner bar of said upper cross assemblyextending between and fixedly connected at opposite ends to upper endportions of said upper tubular members of said upright supportassemblies, said upper end portions of said upper tubular members alsoextending above said upper cross assembly so as to assist in keeping thetarp from falling off said upper cross assembly as the tarp is guidedabove and over the rear of the cargo.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14wherein: each of said upright support assemblies also has a carriagemounted to one of a pair of channels defined along each of a pair ofopposite side edges of the truck load bed, each of said carriagessupporting said lower tubular structure of a respective one of saidupright support assemblies; each of said carriages including anelongated main member and a pair of wheels each mounted on acorresponding one of a pair of axles attached to one of a pair ofopposite ends of said elongated main member and extending laterallytherefrom; and said lower tubular structure of said each of said uprightsupport assemblies including a lower tubular member fixedly attached toand extending upwardly from one of said carriages and being aligned andtelescopably interfitted with said upper tubular member of acorresponding one of said upright support assemblies, and a braceextending angularly between and interconnecting said lower tubularmember and said carriage.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein saidtarp draught device also comprises a pair of elongated posts, said uppercross bar extends between and interconnects at opposite ends withcorresponding upper ends of said elongated posts.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein said tarp draught device further comprises a pair ofcarriages each being mounted to one of said pair of channels definedalong said opposite side edges of the truck load bed, each of saidelongated posts being pivotally mounted at a lower end to one of saidcarriages, each of said carriages including an elongated main member anda pair of wheels each mounted on a corresponding one of a pair of axlesattached to one of a pair of opposite ends of said elongated main memberand extending laterally therefrom, each of said wheels being disposed inone of said channels along the opposite side edges of the truck loadbed.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a pair ofactuators each mounted to one of said elongated main members of saidcarriages of said tarp draught device and drivingly coupled to saidlower end of one of said elongated posts of said tarp draught device forcausing said elongated posts of said tarp draught device to undergomovement between upright positions and angularly displaced positionstoward and away from said tarp guide device and said upright position.